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The compressor on your refrigerator is designed to draw a certain current load, and comparing the expected to the actual values is important when troubleshooting it. You are more likely to find the power draw of the compressor specified on its identification tag than the current, but converting from one to the other involves only one simple calculation. The easiest way to measure the actual current draw of the appliance is with a clamp meter. To use it, you need to add a break-out cord between the refrigerator and the wall outlet.

Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and locate the compressor with a flashlight. The identification tag on the compressor should specify the power that it draws in watts. A typical refrigerator draws 725 watts, according to the United States Department of Energy.

Divide that number by 120 volts, which is the voltage of your power supply, to get the current that the refrigerator draws in amperes. A 725-watt refrigerator draws 725/120 = 6 amps.

Unplug the refrigerator cord, plug it into a break-out cord and plug the break-out cord into the receptacle. The wires in a break-out cord are not enclosed by plastic sheathing, so you have access to them. They are still insulated.

Adjust a clamp meter to read current and set the sensitivity to the maximum, which is usually 40 amps. Clamp the jaws around the black wire in the break-out cord. Wait for the refrigerator to cycle on and note the reading.

Things You Will Need

Flashlight

Break-out cord

Clamp meter

Tip

If you want an idea of how much electricity your refrigerator uses over a period of time, plug it into a watt-hour meter and plug the meter into the receptacle. The meter tells you how much power the appliance is using at any given moment and keeps a running tab of its power usage from the time you plugged in the meter.

The voltage at the receptacle may vary anywhere from 115 to 125 volts, depending on a number of factors, so allow for a 10 percent variation between the expected and actual current readings.

About the Author

Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.